Waveguide polarization beam splitters and method of fabricating a waveguide wire-grid polarization beam splitter

ABSTRACT

A method in effectuating the redirection of light which is propagated within a waveguide, and which eliminates the necessity for a bending of the waveguide, or the drawbacks encountered in directional changes in propagated light involving the need for sharp curves of essentially small-sized radii, which would resultingly lead to excessive losses in light. In this connection, the method relates to the fabricating and the provision of a wire-grid polarization beam splitter within an optical waveguide, which utilizes a diblock copolymer template to formulate the wire-grid.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/415,923; filed May 1, 2006, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,298,935 B1, on Nov. 20, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to waveguide polarization beam splitters, and particularly, pertains to a wire-grid polarization beam splitter including a planar or ridged waveguide, which is adapted to either transmit or reflect light within the waveguide in dependence upon incident polarization.

Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a novel method of fabricating a waveguide polarization beam splitter, and particularly a wire-grid polarization beam splitter with a planar or a ridge waveguide, which is adapted to be utilized in order to either transmit or reflect light within the waveguide in dependence upon incident polarization.

In essence, a waveguide polarization beam splitter comprises a key element in a photonic integrated circuit, whereby beam splitters of that type can be advantageously employed as directional couplers, as well as being useful as directional modulators and switches when utilized in conjunction with a polarization rotational waveguide element.

Nevertheless, it is conceivable that problems may be encountered in connection with the redirecting of light within a waveguide, for instance, such as at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the direction of initial propagation of the light upon use thereof with a polarization-rotating element, as may be currently known in the technology.

In view of the above-mentioned problem, which is prevalent in the present-state of the technology, various investigations have been conducted and attempts made in addressing the issue of redirecting light in different directions, the latter of which are at sharp angles relative to the original direction of propagation of the light within a waveguide. Ordinarily, this redirecting of the propagated light has been implemented through the utilization of cylindrical waveguides, for example, such as in the form of optical fibers, or through the intermediary of ridged waveguides, which, however, are subject to being burdened with large losses of light, thereby resulting in poor and consequently unsatisfactory degrees of efficiencies when the radii of curvature in redirecting the lights are reduced so as to be extremely small in size. Consequently, these light losses are generally ascribed as being due to so called a micro-bending phenomenon.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Heretofore, this particular aspect in the problems of encountered light losses has not been fully addressed in the technology, and any practical attempt in solving this problem in the redirection of the propagated light has ordinarily be in the employment of a directional coupler. However, directional couplers are primarily passive devices and enable only a fraction of the incident light to be redirected, whereby the redirected light is again bounded by relatively large radii of curvatures, which are necessitated due to the limitations resulting from micro-bending losses. Although attempts have been made at switching all of the light successfully into one arm of a directional coupler, such as by means of LiNbO₃ and other kinds of electro-optical waveguide elements, the deviation of the light from the original direction thereof is, however, again limited in scope. Furthermore, although various types of wire-grid polarization beam splitters have been developed in the technology, none are designed to be operative within a waveguide and, consequently, are of essentially limited value within the context of the subject matter of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to obviate or ameliorate the drawbacks which are encountered in the technology, the present invention is directed to the provision of a novel method in effectuating the redirection of light which is propagated within a waveguide, and which eliminates the necessity for a bending of the waveguide, or the drawbacks encountered in directional changes in propagated light involving the need for sharp curves of essentially small-sized radii, which would resultingly lead to excessive losses in light. In this connection, the present invention is directed to a method of fabricating and in the provision of a wire-grid polarization beam splitter within an optical waveguide, which utilizes a diblock copolymer template.

In essence, the use of diblock copolymers in connection with the forming of templates are known in the technology, having specific reference, for example, to C. T. Black and K. W. Guarini, “Structural Evolution of Cylindrical Phase Diblock Copolymer Thin Films”, J. Poly Sci. Part A 42, 1970 (2004); C. T. Black, K. W. Guarini, R. L. Sandstrom, S. Yeung and Y. Zhang, “Formation of Nanometer-Scale Dot Arrays from Diblock Copolymer Templates, Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 728, S491 (2002); and K. W. Guarini, C. T. Black, K. R. Milkove and R. L. Sandstrom, “Sub-Lithographic Patterning Using Self-Assembled Polymers for Semiconductor Applications”, J. Vac. Sci. Tech. B, 19 2784 (2001).

All of these structures, as disclosed in the above-mentioned literature, are directed to the provision of various templates utilizing diblock copolymer template pore formations in a nanometer scale, preferably, but not limited to such as 50 to 100 nm diameter thin-film template pore formations, and wherein the basic concept thereof is generally known in the technology. However, none of the disclosures, as set forth hereinabove, or in any other prior art publications, are directed to the utilization of such diblock copolymer thin films in conjunction with a method of fabricating a waveguide wire-grid polarization beam splitter.

In connection with the foregoing, diblock copolymers provide a highly desirable variety in the formation of possible nanostructures, such as in being able to implement their size tunability and in their manufacturing process compatibility. In particular, highly acceptable diblock copolymer thin-films employable for the inventive purposes are generally constituted of suitable materials, preferably such as polystyrene (PS) or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), although numerous other copolymer materials would also be applicable thereto. The structures and concepts of forming such diblock copolymer thin films are readily and clearly discussed in the above-mentioned literature, which are publications of the International Business Machines Corporation, the assignee of the present application, and the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In particular, as set forth hereinabove, pursuant to the invention, by means of the novel waveguide wire-grid polarization beam splitter, light can be conducted at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the original direction of propagation thereof to a grid (such as in a TM mode). Thus, when an electrical field vector is perpendicular to the grid (TE mode) the direction of propagation of the light through the waveguide is undisturbed and light continues traveling in its original direction. However, when utilized with a polarization-rotating element, this device would then enable the directional switching of the light as a function of polarization.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel waveguide wire-grid polarization beam splitter for the transmission or reflection of light and redirection thereof within a waveguide.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an optical waveguide wire-grid polarization beam splitter, wherein the optical waveguide utilizes a diblock copolymer template for the function of the wire-grid.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a method of forming a waveguide wire-grid polarization splitter in a waveguide, which utilizes a diblock copolymer template for the fabrication of the wire-grid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be made to the following detailed description of the invention, illustrative of various embodiments and aspects in connection with the fabrication of a wire-grid polarization beam splitter within an optical waveguide through the use of a diblock copolymer template; and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a diblock copolymer template pore formation structure possessing 50 to 100 nm sized pores;

FIG. 2 illustrates a planar or slab type waveguide, which is built up to a guiding film layer, such as doped SiO₂;

FIG. 3 illustrates a ridged waveguide structure with a wire-grid polarization beam splitter pursuant to the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a planar or slab waveguide with a wire-grid polarization beam splitter;

FIG. 5 illustrates a ridged waveguide structure with a spun-on diblock copolymer template; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a ridged waveguide structure with a masked off diblock copolymer film arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring in specific detail to the invention, it is noted that, in essence, the structure of the waveguide polarization beam splitter is predicated on the concept that a grid of parallel metallic wires reflect radiation of one polarization while transmitting the other polarization, providing that the wavelength of the light is approximately 10 times larger than the period of the grid, or in the present instance, the metal dot array wire or wires. Through an application of this principle, it is possible to construct such a wire-grid within a waveguide structure by the inventive techniques, as disclosed and elucidated hereinbelow.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a template 10, which is constituted of a diblock copolymer, possesses a pore formation 12 (in the nanometer scale), which pores are in a generally well-ordered or uniformly hexagonal template array. The template 10 is employable in a waveguide light polarization arrangement or structure, as described hereinbelow and incorporates a pore diameter size range of preferably from about 50-100 nm, and with a pore spacing of preferably from about 150-200 nm, although other pore diameter sizes and spacings are contemplateable within the context and scope of the invention. The diblock copolymer materials may comprise polystyrene (PS) or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), although other copolymers and composites thereof may also be suitable in the forming of the waveguide template, as described in the above-mentioned literature.

A waveguide structure 14 of an embodiment, which is of a planar or slab-like shape, as shown in FIG. 2, may be fabricated by standard or known methods of a supportive or base substrate 16, which is constituted of a suitable dielectric material, for example, such as Si. A dielectric waveguide layer 18 possessing an index of refraction (ns) is superimposed on the base layer 16, and could typically be constituted of SiO₂. A light guiding film 20 possessing a higher index of refraction (nf) is then deposited on that dielectric layer 18, and could be constituted of SiON. A cover layer or capping layer 22 having a lower index of refraction (nc) can then be deposited on the guiding film 20, and can be constituted of SiO₂ or doped SiO₂, although other dialectic materials can be employed with the invention.

In the case of a ridged waveguide 30, as shown in FIG. 3, the structure comprises two intersecting sections 32, 34 of the waveguide 30. At the location of the intersection 36 of these two waveguide sections 32, 34, a mesh-like metal dot array wire 38, each incorporating a pore diameter ranging from about 50 to 100 nm and with spacings therebetween of from about 150 to 200 nm, as shown in FIG. 1, is placed across a diagonal 40 of this intersection 36 to a vertical depth of 1-5 microns extending into the guiding film layer. Light propagating through the one waveguide section 32 will either be transmitted or reflected at an angle of 90 degrees at the locale of this intersection 36, whereby the 90 degree reflection would then allow light to now propagate into the second waveguide section 34, which is perpendicular or at a right angle to the first waveguide section 32. Photons 44 whose electrical field vectors are parallel to these metal dot array wire elements would then be reflected 90 degrees, so as to then propagate or travel at 90 degrees relative to their original direction within the planar waveguide, i.e., the metal dot array wire spacings would totally reflect the incoming beam of light. Photons 46 with an electrical field vector perpendicular to these metal dot array wire elements would continue to propagate in their original direction, which was determined by their initial propagating condition (unaffected by the metal dot array wire). The advantage resides in the fact that the light is now capable of turning sharp comers (for example, 90 degrees) and the metal dot wire array or grid 38 can be incorporated into the monolithic waveguide structure 30. At this time, this novel construction is not readily possible to implement in the technology with the use of conventional directional light couplers or other conventional light polarization beam splitters.

In the case of the planar or slab-like waveguide 14, as represented in FIG. 4, the metal dot array wire or grid 38 would be placed at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the direction 44 of the propagated light, as in FIG. 3. The number of spacing widths between these metal dot array wires or elements is designed to be sufficient in order to be able to intercept the entire width of the launched or initially propagated light beam (˜1 mm) traveling through the waveguide.

Reverting to FIG. 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated a ridged waveguide structure 50, comprising a first waveguide 52 and a second waveguide 54 extending at 90 degrees relative thereto, so as to form a configuration similar to that of FIG. 3. However, in this instance, at the intersection 56 between the waveguides 52, 54, the latter of which include a guiding film layer 58, 60, such as, for example, of doped SiO₂, although this can also be SiON, there is provided a spun-on diblock copolymer template 62. The template may be of a diblock copolymer material, which possesses a pore size and pore spacing, as described in connection with that of FIG. 1 of the drawings, i.e., such as polystyrene or polymethlmethacrylate, or the like.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the waveguide structure 70, which has the first and second waveguide sections 72, 74 extending at 90 degrees relative to each other, is built up to the guiding film dielectric layer 76 with a mask 78 leaving a line of 50 to 100 nm pores from the diblock copolymer template 80. This line 80 of template pores is directed at 45 degrees relative to incident light across from the intersection 82 between the waveguide sections 72, 74.

In essence, a method setting forth a unique and advantageous technique for fabricating the waveguide grid (such as a metal dot array wire or wires) light polarization beam splitter entails the following method steps:

-   -   1) Depositing the waveguide substrate consisting of a dielectric         material having an appropriate thickness, for example, such as         about 8 microns in the case of SiO₂ onto Si or other similar         substrate;     -   2) Depositing the core or guiding film of an appropriate         thickness, such as 2 microns for SiON or doped SiO₂;     -   3) Applying a spin-on random diblock copolymer, as described         hereinabove, to prepare the surface for vertically-oriented         cylindrical phase template pores, and curing in a vacuum oven,         then rinsing in toluene for a monolayer formation of selective         random copolymers;     -   4) Subsequently, applying (as in step 3) a spin-on         polystyrene-polymethylmethacyrate (30% PS-70% PMMA) diblock         copolymer and curing in a vacuum oven, then optionally exposing         the substrate to ultraviolet (UV) light, then removing PMMA from         the cylindrical pores in acetic acid and a deionized water rinse         to create a porous polystyrene template;     -   5) Masking off all pores with the exception of a single row of         template pores at 45 degrees relative to the direction of light         propagation while permitting for a remainder of 75 to 100 nm of         polymer on either side of this line of pores;     -   6) Deep etching trenches (2 microns for SiON core) through the         core utilizing a 50 degree line of pores as a template down to a         substrate layer, for example SiO₂, by utilizing reactive ion         etching (RIE);     -   7) Sputter depositing or atomic layer depositing (ALD) a metal         wire, such as Au, Ag, Cu, or the like, into 50 to 100 nm         diameter lines of holes;     -   8) Removing the mask from the line formed of template pores;     -   9) Removing the remaining diblock copolymer using either oxygen         plasma, ozone or solvent (e.g.—1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)), or         combinations thereof, while permitting the metal wire to remain         embedded in the core or guiding film of the waveguide;     -   10) Removing excess metal down to the surface guiding layer of         the waveguide (for example, SiON) using chemical mechanical         polishing (CMP), wet etching, or combinations thereof; and     -   11) Depositing a cover layer of SiO₂ or other suitable         dielectric material onto the waveguide surface.

Alternatively, subsequent to the dielectric substrate having been deposited, a layer of diblock copolymer of a thickness corresponding to that of the guiding film dimension, for example, 2 microns in the case of SiON, can be deposited and developed into 2 micron deep pores. This process entails use of an electric field to vertically align the diblock copolymer cylindrical pores (see, e.g.—T. Thurn-Albrecht, J. Schotter, G. A. Kästle, N. Emley, M. T. Tuominen, T. P. Russell, T. Shibauchi, L. Krusin-Elbaum, K. Guarini, and C. T. Black, “Ultrahigh Density Nanowire Arrays Grown in Self-Assembled Diblock Copolymer Templates”, Science 290, 2126 (2000)). The excess pores can be masked off, as described hereinabove in step 5), and the pores at 50 degrees relative to the direction of propagation can be filled with a metal, in accordance with step 7).

The diblock copolymer is then removed in accordance with steps 8) and 9) and a deposition of the guiding layer of the waveguide (2 microns thickness of SiON, in this instance) is followed by the deposition thereon of the dielectric cover layer.

Other alternative methods in creating the wire-grid arrays may also utilize applying porous anodic alumna to create the template of 50-100 diameter pores. This technique may also incorporate deep trench etching in a manner similar to that described above used in combination with diblock copolymer templates, wherein the anodized aluminum provides a further novel aspect, which may be utilized in conjunction with the present invention.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in forms and details may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the present invention not be limited to the exact forms and details described and illustrated, but fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An optical waveguide polarization beam splitter, wherein said beam splitter comprises a wire-grid array in said waveguide so as to facilitate the transmission or reflection of light propagated within said waveguide in dependence upon incident polarization of the propagated light, said beam splitter comprising a ridged waveguide structure having intersecting waveguide sections extending at 90 degrees relative to each other; a parallel metal wire-grid row with 50-100 nm diameter wire pores and 150-200 nm wire spacing extending diagonal across the intersection of said waveguide sections; and a strippable diblock copolymer material covering said metal wire grid pores.
 2. A waveguide polarization beam splitter, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said copolymer is formed by a spun-on template extending into the guiding film layer of said waveguide structure. 